The highly anticipated program has faced a series of delays from the originally planned Aug. 26 launch due to unfavorable weather conditions and a ground system issue.
, led by billionaire Jared Isaacman and in collaboration with SpaceX, has set a target launch date and time for this week, despite uncertain weather conditions.
Isaacman, the CEO of the payment-processing company Shift4, will be joined on the mission by former Air Force pilot Scott "Kidd" Poteet and two SpaceX engineers, Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis. "Weather is currently 40% favorable for liftoff, and conditions at the possible splashdown sites for Dragon's return to Earth remain a watch item," the company, "This is a big improvement over the last two weeks. We are getting closer to getting this mission to orbit."
The program is set to span five days under normal conditions and will see two of the crew members exit the spacecraft in the first commercial spacewalk, at an altitude of 435 miles above Earth.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Polaris Dawn: Everything you need to know about the 1st mission of the Polaris ProgramElizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022 covering diversity, education and gaming as well. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years before joining full-time.
Read more »
SpaceX delays launch of Polaris Dawn private spacewalk mission to Aug. 27Josh Dinner is Space.com's Content Manager. He is a writer and photographer with a passion for science and space exploration, and has been working the space beat since 2016.
Read more »
SpaceX launching private Polaris Dawn astronaut mission Aug. 27: How to watch onlineSamantha Mathewson joined Space.com as an intern in the summer of 2016. She received a B.A. in Journalism and Environmental Science at the University of New Haven, in Connecticut. Previously, her work has been published in Nature World News.
Read more »
SpaceX delays Polaris Dawn astronaut launch until at least Aug. 30 due to bad weatherMichael Wall is a Senior Space Writer with Space.com and joined the team in 2010. He primarily covers exoplanets, spaceflight and military space, but has been known to dabble in the space art beat. His book about the search for alien life, 'Out There,' was published on Nov. 13, 2018.
Read more »
SpaceX delays Polaris Dawn astronaut launch to Aug. 28 due to helium leakMichael Wall is a Senior Space Writer with Space.com and joined the team in 2010. He primarily covers exoplanets, spaceflight and military space, but has been known to dabble in the space art beat. His book about the search for alien life, 'Out There,' was published on Nov. 13, 2018.
Read more »
SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission faces further delay after FAA grounds Falcon 9SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has been grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration after one of the boosters toppled over and exploded on Wednesday.
Read more »